Variable sensor having tactile feedback in a game control

Abstract

A variable sensor having a variable electrical output used to variably control electronic game imagery shown on a television according to variable depressive force applied by a finger of a human user to the variable sensor. The variable sensor comprising: a circuit sheet supporting electrically conductive material, positioned above the circuit sheet is located a depressible resilient structure, the resilient structure shaped to provide, upon depression, a snap tactile feedback, whereby when the finger of the user applies depressive pressure to the variable sensor a tactile feedback is provided to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is activated, and releasing of pressure applied to the variable sensor provides a tactile feedback to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is deactivated.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A variable sensor having a variable electrical output used to variably control electronic game imagery shown on a television according to variable depressive force applied by a finger of a user to said variable sensor, said variable sensor comprising: 
 a portion of a rigid circuit board supporting interdigitated electrically conductive circuit traces, said circuit board at least in part supporting    a flexible membrane sheet, said flexible membrane sheet positioned between said circuit board and    a depressible resilient structure, said resilient structure shaped to provide, upon depression, a snap tactile feedback to a human user, whereby when the finger of the user applies depressive pressure to the variable sensor a tactile feedback is provided to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is activated, and releasing of pressure applied to the variable sensor provides a tactile feedback to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is deactivated.    
     
     
         2 . A variable sensor having a variable electrical output used to variably control electronic game imagery shown on a television according to variable depressive force applied by a finger of a human user to said variable sensor, said variable sensor comprising: 
 a circuit board supporting electrical circuit traces, positioned above said circuit board is located    a depressible resilient structure, said resilient structure shaped to provide, upon depression, a snap tactile feedback to the human user, whereby when the finger of the user applies depressive pressure to the variable sensor a tactile feedback is provided to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is activated, and releasing of pressure applied to the variable sensor provides a tactile feedback to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is deactivated.    
     
     
         3 . A variable sensor according to  claim 2  wherein a flexible membrane sheet is positioned between said circuit board and said resilient structure  
     
     
         4 . A variable sensor according to  claim 3  wherein said resilient structure includes a deformable surface having an apex located to contact said flexible membrane sheet.  
     
     
         5 . A variable sensor according to  claim 4  wherein said flexible membrane sheet supports electrically conductive material.  
     
     
         6 . A variable sensor according to  claim 5  wherein said conductive material is located to contact said circuit traces.  
     
     
         7 . A variable sensor according to  claim 6  wherein said circuit traces are interdigitated.  
     
     
         8 . A variable sensor according to  claim 2  wherein said variable sensor is positioned at least in part within a hand held device, said hand held device includes a operationally pivotal first button, said pivotal first button positioned to be pivotally operated by a first human finger of the human user, said pivotal first button structured to operate a proportional sensor, whereby variable operation of said pivotal first button variably controls the electronic game imagery.  
     
     
         9 . A variable sensor according to  claim 8  wherein said hand held device includes an operationally pivotal second button, said pivotal second button positioned to be pivotally operated by a second human finger of the human user, said pivotal second button structured to operate a proportional sensor, whereby variable operation of said pivotal second button variably controls the electronic game imagery.  
     
     
         10 . A variable sensor according to  claim 9  wherein said hand held device includes active tactile feedback structures.  
     
     
         11 . A variable sensor according to  claim 10  wherein said active tactile feedback structures comprise a motor and offset weight.  
     
     
         12 . A variable sensor according to  claim 11  wherein said hand held device includes a sensor having an output signal representing only On/Off data.  
     
     
         13 . A variable sensor according to  claim 12  wherein said variable sensor outputs signals representing On/off data and proportional data.  
     
     
         14 . A variable sensor according to  claim 2  wherein said variable sensor is positioned at least in part within a hand held device, said hand held device includes a right-hand area and a left-hand area, said variable sensor is located in said right-hand area.  
     
     
         15 . A variable sensor according to  claim 14  wherein said variable sensor is activated by depression of a thumb depressible button, said thumb depressible button located in said right-hand area and positioned to be depressed by a right hand thumb of the user.  
     
     
         16 . A variable sensor according to  claim 15  wherein said variable sensor outputs signals representing On/off data and proportional data.  
     
     
         17 . A variable sensor according to  claim 16  wherein said hand held device includes a second variable sensor located in said right-hand area.  
     
     
         18 . A variable sensor according to  claim 17  wherein said hand held device includes a third variable sensor and a fourth variable sensor, the second, third and fourth sensors associated with second, third and fourth independent buttons, the buttons located in said right-hand area positioned to be depressed by a right-hand thumb of the user.  
     
     
         19 . A variable sensor having a variable electrical output used to variably control electronic game imagery shown on a television according to variable depressive force applied by a finger of a human user to said variable sensor, comprising: 
 a rigid support board supporting    an electrically non-conductive flexible membrane sheet supports at least one electrical conductor, positioned above said flexible membrane sheet is located    a depressible resilient structure carrying electrically conductive material, said electrically conductive material having a deformable substantially convexed surface having an apex, said apex positioned to contact said at least one electrical conductor; said resilient structure shaped to provide, upon depression    a soft snap tactile feedback to the human user, whereby when the finger of the user applies depressive pressure to the variable sensor a tactile feedback is provided to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is activated, and releasing of pressure applied to the variable sensor provides a tactile feedback to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is deactivated;    a hand held housing includes said variable sensor; further included in said hand held housing is    means for active tactile feedback;    a four way rocker is located in a left-hand area of said housing;    a second variable sensor is positioned within a right-hand area of said housing, said second variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a second single individual button;    a third variable sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said third variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a third single individual button;    a fourth variable sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said fourth variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a fourth single individual button;    an On/Off sensor is positioned within said housing located between said right-hand area and said left-hand area.    
     
     
         20 . A variable sensor having a variable electrical output used to variably control imagery of an electronic game shown on a television according to variable depressive force applied by a finger of a hand of a human user to said variable sensor, comprising: 
 a circuit board supporting    a flexible membrane sheet supporting electrically conductive material, positioned above said flexible membrane sheet is located    a depressible resilient structure, said resilient structure shaped to provide, upon depression,    a soft snap tactile feedback to the human user, whereby when the finger of the user applies depressive pressure to the variable sensor a tactile feedback is provided to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is activated, and releasing of pressure applied to the variable sensor provides a tactile feedback to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is deactivated;    said variable sensor is combined with structure providing active tactile feedback, whereby the electronic game causes said structure providing active tactile feedback to create vibration felt by the hand of the user.    
     
     
         21 . A variable sensor according to  claim 20  wherein the variable depressive force applied by the finger of the human user to said variable sensor is applied through a single independent button which presses against said depressible resilient structure.  
     
     
         22 . A variable sensor according to  claim 20  wherein said circuit board supports at least two electrically conductive circuit traces.  
     
     
         23 . A variable sensor according to  claim 22  wherein said at least two electrically conductive circuit traces are interdigitated at a location under said conductive material.  
     
     
         24 . A variable sensor according to  claim 23  wherein upon depression of said depressible resilient structure said conductive material contacts the interdigitated portion of said circuit traces.  
     
     
         25 . A variable sensor according to  claim 24  wherein said variable sensor is located in a hand held housing having a right-hand area and a left-hand area.  
     
     
         26 . A variable sensor according to  claim 25  wherein a four way rocker is located in said left-hand area of said housing, and said variable sensor is located in said right-hand area of said housing.  
     
     
         27 . A variable sensor according to  claim 26  wherein a On/Off sensor is located in said housing between said right-hand area and said left-hand area.  
     
     
         28 . A variable sensor according to  claim 27  wherein a second variable sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said second variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a second single individual button.  
     
     
         29 . A variable sensor according to  claim 24  wherein said variable sensor outputs signals representing On/Off data and proportional data.  
     
     
         30 . A variable sensor according to  claim 29  wherein said variable sensor is located in a hand held housing having a right-hand area and a left-hand area.  
     
     
         31 . A variable sensor according to  claim 30  wherein a four way rocker is located in said left-hand area of said housing, and said variable sensor is located in said right-hand area of said housing.  
     
     
         32 . A variable sensor having a variable electrical output used to variably control electronic game imagery shown on a television according to variable depressive force applied by a finger of a human user to said variable sensor, comprising: 
 a rigid support board supporting    a flexible membrane sheet supporting electrically conductive material, said conductive material positioned to contact at least one electrical circuit trace;    a depressible resilient structure having a deformable surface having an apex, said apex positioned to contact said flexible membrane upon depression of said depressible resilient structure; depression of said depressible resilient structure also creating    a soft snap tactile feedback to the human user, whereby when the finger of the user applies depressive pressure to the variable sensor a tactile feedback is provided to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is activated, and releasing of pressure applied to the variable sensor provides a tactile feedback to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is deactivated;    a hand held housing includes said variable sensor; further included in said hand held housing is    means for active tactile feedback;    a four way rocker is located in a left-hand area of said housing;    a second variable sensor is positioned within a right-hand area of said housing, said second variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a second single individual button;    a third variable sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said third variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a third single individual button;    a fourth variable sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said fourth variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a fourth single individual button;    an On/Off sensor is positioned within said housing located between said right-hand area and said left-hand area.    
     
     
         33 . A variable sensor according to  claim 32  wherein a third variable sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said third variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a third single individual button, and a fourth variable sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said fourth variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a fourth single individual button.  
     
     
         34 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry, said variable sensor operated by variable depression of a single button, said single button variably depressed by a single finger of a hand of a user, variable operation of said variable sensor variably controls electronic game imagery, and operation of said variable sensor at least provides a soft snap tactile feedback to the finger of the user.  
     
     
         35 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry according to  claim 34  wherein said electrical circuitry reads said variable sensor and said electrical circuitry enables active tactile feedback to be sent to the hand of the user.  
     
     
         36 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry according to  claim 34  wherein said variable sensor includes a resilient dome cap depressible by said button.  
     
     
         37 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry according to  claim 36  wherein said dome cap supplies said soft snap tactile feedback through said button to the finger of the user.  
     
     
         38 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry according to  claim 37  wherein said dome cap comprises rubber material.  
     
     
         39 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry according to  claim 37  wherein said dome cap comprises metallic material.  
     
     
         40 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry, said variable sensor operated by variable depression of a single button, said single button variably depressed by a single finger of a hand of a user, variable operation of said variable sensor variably controls electronic game imagery, and operation of said variable sensor at least provides a soft snap tactile feedback to the finger of the user; said electrical circuitry reads said variable sensor and said electrical circuitry enables active tactile feedback to be sent to the hand of the user; said variable sensor includes a resilient dome cap depressible by said button, said dome cap supplies said soft snap tactile feedback through said button to the finger of the user.  
     
     
         41 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry and elements according to  claim 40  are supported by a hand grasped housing, said housing further including a first proportional sensor activated by depression of a first pivotal button, and a second proportional sensor activated by depression of a second pivotal button.  
     
     
         42 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry according to  claim 41  wherein said single button is positioned for thumb depression.  
     
     
         43 . A variable sensor and associated electrical circuitry according to  claim 42  wherein said hand grasped housing includes structuring enabling active tactile feedback.  
     
     
         44 . A variable sensor combined with electronic imagery controls, said variable sensor structured for receiving variable depressive force applied to a single independent button by only a single human finger, said variable sensor including a depressible resilient dome cap, said dome cap structured to provide, upon depression of said dome cap, a soft snap tactile feedback to the human finger.  
     
     
         45 . A variable sensor according to  claim 44  wherein electrically conductive material is carried by said dome cap.  
     
     
         46 . A variable sensor according to  claim 45  wherein said conductive material deforms under said depressive force.  
     
     
         47 . A variable sensor according to  claim 46  wherein said variable sensor is located in a right-hand area of a housing, and a four way rocker is located in a left-hand area of said housing.  
     
     
         48 . A variable sensor according to  claim 46  wherein said variable sensor is structured in combination with means for providing active tactile feedback.  
     
     
         49 . A variable sensor according to  claim 46  wherein said variable sensor outputs signals representing On/off data and proportional data.  
     
     
         50 . A variable sensor according to  claim 49  wherein said variable sensor is structured in combination with means for providing active tactile feedback.  
     
     
         51 . A variable sensor according to  claim 50  wherein said variable sensor is activatable by depression of a button, said sensor and said button are positioned in a right-hand area of a housing, and a four way rocker is positioned in a left-hand area of said housing.  
     
     
         52 . A variable sensor according to  claim 51  wherein said electronic imagery is an electronic game displayed by a television.  
     
     
         53 . A variable sensor according to  claim 52  wherein said housing is hand-held, and said means for providing active tactile feedback is located within said housing.  
     
     
         54 . A variable sensor according to  claim 53  wherein a second variable sensor is positioned within said housing, said second variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a second button, said second button located in said right-hand area of said housing.  
     
     
         55 . A variable sensor according to  claim 54  wherein a third variable sensor is positioned within said housing, said third variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a third single individual button positioned in said right-hand area of said housing, and a fourth variable sensor is positioned within said housing, said fourth variable sensor actuated by variable depression of a fourth single individual button positioned in said right-hand area of said housing.  
     
     
         56 . A method of using a variable pressure analog sensor, depressed by a human thumb, to control variable movement of imagery in an electronic game, said method including the acts: 
 a) decreasing pressure on said analog sensor, followed by    b) receiving a soft snap tactile feedback, followed by    c) increasing pressure on said analog sensor, said increasing pressure applied according to said imagery and substantially because of said receiving a soft snap tactile feedback.    
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 56  wherein said variable movement of imagery is movement of a viewpoint through three-dimensional graphics.  
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 56  wherein said variable movement of imagery is variable movement of a game object.  
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 58  wherein said game object is a three-dimensional game object located within a three-dimensional graphics display.  
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 56  wherein said variable movement of imagery is movement of a game character in three-dimensional graphics.  
     
     
         61 . A method of using a variable sensor depressed by a human finger to variably control movement in an electronic game, said method including the acts: 
 a) depressing said variable sensor with varying pressure;    b) receiving a user snap-through discernable tactile feedback.    
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 61  wherein said depressing includes depressing harder to make a controllable game character, of said electronic imagery, jump higher.  
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 61  wherein said depressing includes increasing depressive pressure to make a simulated race car, of said electronic imagery, slow according to the increasing depressive pressure.  
     
     
         64 . A method of variably controlling electronic imagery by using a variable sensor, said method including the acts: 
 a) pressing, with a human finger, a button associated with the variable sensor;    b) receiving, through said finger, a snap-through threshold tactile feedback.    
     
     
         65 . A method of controlling electronic imagery according to  claim 64  wherein said pressing includes pressing harder to make a controllable game character, of said electronic imagery, jump higher.  
     
     
         66 . A method of controlling electronic imagery according to  claim 64  wherein said pressing includes increasing pressure to make a simulated race car, of said electronic imagery, slow according to the increasing pressure.  
     
     
         67 . A method of interacting with an electronic game displayed on a television, comprising: 
 receiving a first signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said first signal representing variable input applied to a variable sensor by a single finger of a hand of a human user;    sending a tactile feedback signal to cause vibration to be felt by the hand of the user;    receiving a second signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said second signal representing variable input applied to a second variable sensor;    receiving a first bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said first bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a first bi-directional proportional sensor;    receiving a second bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said second bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a second bi-directional proportional sensor;    receiving a third bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said third bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a third bi-directional proportional sensor;    receiving a fourth bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said fourth bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a fourth bi-directional proportional sensor.    
     
     
         68 . A method of interacting with an electronic game displayed on a television according to  claim 67  wherein said first signal represents variable pressure applied to the variable sensor.  
     
     
         69 . A method of interacting with an electronic game displayed on a television, comprising: 
 receiving a first signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said first signal representing variable input applied to a variable sensor by a single finger of a hand of a human user;    sending a tactile feedback signal to cause vibration to be felt by the hand of the user.    
     
     
         70 . A method of interacting with an electronic game displayed on a television according to  claim 69  wherein said method further includes 
 receiving a second signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said second signal representing variable input applied to a second variable sensor.  
 
     
     
         71 . A method of interacting with an electronic game displayed on a television according to  claim 70  wherein said method further includes 
 receiving a first bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said first bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a first bi-directional proportional sensor;  
 receiving a second bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said second bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a second bi-directional proportional sensor.  
 
     
     
         72 . A method of interacting with an electronic game displayed on a television according to  claim 71  wherein said method further includes 
 receiving a third bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said third bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a third bi-directional proportional sensor;  
 receiving a fourth bi-directional signal useful for controlling the electronic game, said fourth bi-directional signal representing variable input applied to a fourth bi-directional proportional sensor.  
 
     
     
         73 . A method of interacting with an electronic game displayed on a television according to  claim 72  wherein said first signal represents variable pressure applied to the variable sensor.  
     
     
         74 . A method of using a variable pressure analog sensor, depressed by a human thumb, to control variable movement of imagery in an electronic game, said method comprising: 
 a) decreasing pressure on said analog sensor, followed by    b) receiving a soft snap tactile feedback, followed by    c) increasing pressure on said analog sensor, said increasing pressure applied according to said imagery and substantially because of said receiving a soft snap tactile feedback.    
     
     
         75 . A method according to  claim 74  wherein said variable movement of imagery is movement of a viewpoint through three-dimensional graphics.  
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 75  wherein said variable movement of imagery is variable movement of a game object.  
     
     
         77 . A method according to  claim 75  wherein said game object is a three-dimensional game object located within a three-dimensional graphics display.  
     
     
         78 . A method according to  claim 74  wherein said variable movement of imagery is movement of a game character in three-dimensional graphics.  
     
     
         79 . A method of using a variable sensor depressed by a human finger to variably control movement in an electronic game, said method comprising: 
 a) depressing said variable sensor with varying pressure;    b) receiving a user snap-through discernable tactile feedback.    
     
     
         80 . A method according to  claim 79  wherein said depressing includes depressing harder to make a controllable game character, of said electronic imagery, jump higher.  
     
     
         81 . A method according to  claim 79  wherein said depressing includes increasing depressive pressure to make a simulated race car, of said electronic imagery, slow according to the increasing depressive pressure.  
     
     
         82 . A method of variably controlling electronic imagery by using a variable sensor, said method comprising: 
 a) pressing, with a human finger, a button associated with the variable sensor;    b) receiving, through said finger, a snap-through threshold tactile feedback.    
     
     
         83 . A method of controlling electronic imagery according to claim  82  wherein said pressing includes pressing harder to make a controllable game character, of said electronic imagery, jump higher.  
     
     
         84 . A method of controlling electronic imagery according to claim  82  wherein said pressing includes increasing pressure to make a simulated race car, of said electronic imagery, slow according to the increasing pressure.